Keto And Fibroids: Is This Diet Detrimental?

Fibroids are abnormal growths in the uterus, also known as uterine fibroids, myomas, and leiomyomas. They are non-cancerous and usually do not require treatment. However, they can sometimes cause complications and heavy menstrual bleeding. While fibroids cannot be treated or prevented through diet alone, certain dietary and lifestyle changes may help reduce the risk of developing them. One such lifestyle change is the ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carb diet that has gained popularity in recent years. The keto diet has been recommended by doctors for women suffering from fibroids, and it is believed to be especially beneficial for those with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. While the keto diet does affect hormones, it is a myth that it negatively impacts them. In fact, ketosis may offer several benefits for women, including improved mental clarity and reduced insulin resistance.

Keto can help with fibroids, PCOS and endometriosis

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb food regime. It involves drastically reducing your intake of carbohydrates and replacing them with fats. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it becomes very efficient at burning fat for energy.

Fibroids

Although there is no data on the impact of keto on fibroids, tumorous growths like polyps, cancer, and skin tags are stimulated by insulin. Therefore, a low-carb diet like keto can slow the development and recurrence of fibroids.

PCOS

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is the most common endocrine disorder in women, causing enlarged ovaries with cysts. Increased carb intake can negatively affect women with PCOS, so a low-carb diet like keto can be beneficial as it reduces insulin resistance.

Aya Hamed, a makeup artist and influencer, shared her experience with PCOS and the keto diet. After a couple of weeks on keto, she released two cysts that had been surgically removed two years prior but had reappeared. She attributed this to the lack of sugar intake and the resulting relaxation of insulin.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease where the cells that line the uterus each month also grow outside of the uterus, attaching and growing on organs, muscles, and even inside scar tissue. These growths can cause severe pain and infertility, and the disease is incredibly difficult to diagnose and treat, with no permanent cure.

Emma Dearing, a writer with a background in public health, shared her experience with endometriosis and the keto diet. She found that when her body entered ketosis, her swelling and pain disappeared completely. However, she had to stay under 20 grams of net carbs a day to maintain these results, which she found unsustainable. Additionally, she experienced abnormal heart palpitations that her doctors attributed to the high levels of fat in her diet, even though they were "healthy fats".

It can reduce insulin resistance

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that causes the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates. This process is called ketosis, and it is said to help with weight loss.

Insulin resistance can be reduced by the keto diet in two ways. Firstly, the diet itself can improve insulin sensitivity, and this effect is due to the ketones per se, not just the reduced intake of carbohydrates. Secondly, if an individual loses a substantial amount of weight, insulin resistance can be further reduced.

The degree to which improved insulin sensitivity is maintained long-term depends on the individual. Factors such as the duration of insulin resistance and current physical activity levels may play a role in an individual's level of carbohydrate tolerance after a successful period on a well-formulated ketogenic diet.

While it may not be necessary for everyone to remain in ketosis forever, some individuals will find that continuing a well-formulated ketogenic diet is most effective in maintaining their metabolic health long-term. If carbohydrates are added back into the diet, it may be best to do so as a modest amount over time, monitoring biomarkers like fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides, and HbA1c to assess carbohydrate tolerance and prevent the redevelopment of insulin-resistant conditions such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

It can help with weight loss

The keto diet is a low-carbohydrate, fat-rich eating plan that has been used for centuries to treat specific medical conditions. In the 19th century, it was used to help control diabetes, and in 1920, it was introduced as an effective treatment for epilepsy in children. Today, it is gaining attention as a potential weight-loss strategy.

The keto diet can be an effective tool for weight loss and is well-supported by evidence. It is very filling and usually does not require calorie counting. The diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams per day and can be as low as 20 grams. Generally, it suggests an average of 70-80% fat, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein.

There are several ways in which the keto diet promotes weight loss:

• Higher protein intake: The keto diet can lead to an increase in protein intake, which has many weight loss benefits.
• Gluconeogenesis: Your body converts fat and protein into carbs for fuel, burning many additional calories in the process.
• Appetite suppressant: The keto diet helps you feel full and reduces appetite, supported by positive changes in hunger hormones such as leptin and ghrelin.
• Improved insulin sensitivity: The keto diet can improve insulin sensitivity, which can enhance fuel utilization and metabolism.
• Decreased fat storage: The diet may reduce lipogenesis, the process of converting sugar into fat. With minimal carb intake, fat is used for energy instead.
• Increased fat burning: Studies suggest that the keto diet may slightly increase fat burning during rest, daily activity, and exercise.

The keto diet has been shown to produce beneficial metabolic changes in the short term. Along with weight loss, it can improve health parameters such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. It can also be challenging to maintain due to the extreme carbohydrate restriction, and some people may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as hunger, fatigue, low mood, irritability, constipation, headaches, and brain fog.

While the keto diet can be an effective tool for weight loss, it is not suitable for everyone. It may be challenging to stick to, and long-term investigation into its effects is limited. Additionally, it may not be the best option for elite athletes, those wishing to build muscle, or vegetarians and vegans due to the emphasis on meat, fish, and dairy. It is always important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.

It can improve heart health

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb food regimen that has become increasingly popular. While it may be effective for weight loss, there are concerns about its impact on heart health. However, some sources suggest that it can improve heart health in certain ways.

Firstly, the keto diet can lead to weight loss, which can help reduce cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity. Losing weight can also help prevent or slow the growth of fibroids, which are abnormal growths in the uterus.

Secondly, the keto diet has been shown to lower blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for people with diabetes. High blood sugar can lead to inflammation and damage to arteries, so by reducing blood sugar, the keto diet may indirectly improve heart health.

Thirdly, the keto diet has been found to decrease triglyceride levels in the blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat that, when present in high levels, increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis. By lowering triglyceride levels, the keto diet may contribute to better heart health.

Finally, some studies have shown that the keto diet can lead to increased levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as "good" cholesterol. Higher HDL levels are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.

However, it is important to note that the keto diet may also increase levels of LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. The long-term effects of the keto diet on heart health are still unclear, and it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially if you have existing health concerns.

It can reduce acne

A ketogenic diet may help reduce acne. Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, which includes the hair follicle, hair shaft, and sebaceous gland. It is influenced by inflammation and oxidative stress and is commonly associated with obesity. Obesity is also associated with increased inflammation and oxidation.

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb food regimen that has been shown to aid weight loss and generate anti-inflammatory ketone bodies. A very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been linked to significant reductions in body weight and inflammatory status through the production of ketone bodies.

A small pilot study found that a group of young women who followed a VLCKD for 45 days experienced improvements in their acne. The participants' acne improved by an average of 41.5% over the course of the diet, as measured by a standard global acne grading scale. The study also found that markers for systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiome health all improved. The researchers suggested that the improvements in acne severity were attributable to the known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the VLCKD.

The role of diet in acne is still inconclusive, and more research is needed to confirm these findings. However, the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet in reducing acne are promising, especially for individuals struggling with both acne and obesity.

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